Roche Pharma Pegasys

What is PEGASYS?

PEGASYS® (peginterferon alfa-2a) is a prescription medication that is:

• used alone or with COPEGUS® (ribavirin, USP) to treat adults and children 5 years and older who have chronic (lasting a long time) hepatitis C infection and certain types of liver problems, and have not taken alpha interferon
• used if you have chronic hepatitis C; you should not take PEGASYS by itself unless you are not able to take COPEGUS
• used to treat adults with chronic hepatitis B virus who show signs that the virus is damaging the liver

It is not known if PEGASYS is safe and will work in children under 5 years of age.

Boxed WARNINGS

PEGASYS, like other alpha interferons, may cause or worsen fatal or life-threatening problems (like mental, immune system, heart, liver, lung, intestinal and infections). Your doctor should monitor you during regular visits. If you show signs or symptoms of these conditions, your doctor may stop your medication. In many patients, but not all, these conditions get better after they stop taking PEGASYS (see the Medication Guide for more information and Warnings).

Ribavirin, including COPEGUS®, can cause birth defects and/or death to an unborn baby. Female patients and the female partners of male patients should avoid getting pregnant. Ribavirin is known to cause anemia (low red blood cells), which can make heart disease worse (see the COPEGUS Medication Guide for more information and Warnings).